Anja decided to forge ahead despite Susanne’s strange distraction. If she waited any longer, she’d go insane. “Susanne, can we talk?”

“Of course. In fact, there’s something I wanted to tell you too. Or maybe rather show you.” Susanne held out the basket.

Anja waved away the offer. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry. There’s something I have to—”

“It’s not edible.”

Anja threw a fleeting glance at the one remaining item in the basket. It was a bottle of some kind. “I’m not thirsty either.” She took a deep breath and then just blurted it out. “I know this is really unfair of me since we said no promises and all, but… God, I can’t stand the thought of you leaving. Susanne, I…” She swallowed and forced herself to hold Susanne’s gaze. “I love you.”

For a moment, even the birds seemed to fall silent.

Quickly, Anja added, “I’m not saying that to manipulate you into staying, and it doesn’t mean you have to say it back or that I expect you to—”

“Anja.” Susanne interrupted her babbling with the biggest grin Anja had ever seen on her. “Take the bottle and open the ship, please.”

Bottle? Ship? She was in the middle of putting her heart on the line, and Susanne was talking about some strange nautical stuff? Thoroughly confused, she reached into the basket and pulled out a plastic bottle.

The bottom had been cut out, and inside was a red, slightly crooked paper boat. The name written on the side of the boat was Anja. A toothpick stuck out of the sail, and a tiny paper flag attached to it said, Unfold me.

“W-what’s this?” Anja asked. This wasn’t a goodbye present, was it?

No. If it were, Susanne would look much more sober instead of grinning from ear to ear.

“Open it,” Susanne said hoarsely.

With trembling fingers, Anja pulled out the boat and carefully unfolded it. As she smoothed out the paper, she realized there was something written on the inside.

I love you.

The paper fell from her fingers, and she stared at Susanne, who gave an embarrassed shrug.

“I’m not usually one for romantic gestures, but I guess you bring it out in—”

Anja threw her arms around her, ignoring the strawberries that rolled off the bench, and interrupted Susanne with a heartfelt kiss.

Unknown minutes later, they drew back a little and gazed into each other’s eyes.

“So is that a yes?” Susanne asked.

Dazed from the kiss and the emotions rushing through her, Anja cocked her head. “I think at the moment, I’d say yes to pretty much anything, but…what exactly am I agreeing to?”

“Uh, didn’t you read it?”

Anja picked up the unfolded paper boat that had fluttered to the ground. She hadn’t read past those all-important three words, but now she realized there was more.